APA Slips After The Release Of The Acquisition Update

November 08, 2018 04:14 PM NZDT | By Team Kalkine Media
 APA Slips After The Release Of The Acquisition Update

APA Group (ASX: APA) provided an update on its acquisition by the CKI Consortium on November 8, 2018.

APA had received an unsolicited, indicative and non-binding proposal from the CKI Consortium on June 13, 2018. Under this proposal, CKI Consortium had to acquire all of the stapled securities in APA through trust schemes. After the successful implementation of the scheme, APA security holders will receive A$11.00 cash per stapled security. However, this transaction will not affect APA’s final distribution for the 2018 financial year, which the Board expects to be 24.0 cents per stapled security. The expected time for the implementation of the schemes is by mid-December 2018. If the implementation of the scheme is done any time after December 31, 2018, then in such case, APA security holders will receive an additional distribution of 4.0 cents per APA stapled security for each full month in calendar 2019 which elapses prior to implementation of the Scheme (up to, and including, March 2019). The final date for the approval of the scheme is March 31, 2019. Â

On August 31, 2018 CKM Australia Bidco Pty Ltd informed APA that the shareholders of CK Asset Holdings Limited, CK Infrastructure Holdings Limited and Power Assets Holdings Limited have voted to approve the relevant resolutions put to shareholders of each of those entities relating to the previously announced trust schemes under which CKI Consortium will acquire all of the stapled securities in APA (Schemes). The Schemes remained subjective to certain conditions, including approvals from the Australian Federal Treasurer (FIRB approval), APA security holders and the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

On November 8, 2018, APA group presented the media release by the Australian Federal Treasurer providing their preliminary view on the trust schemes under which the CKI Consortium proposes to acquire all of the stapled securities in APA (Schemes).

As per the Australian Federal Treasurer, the proposed acquisition will be contrary to the national interest. This will result in an undue concentration and foreign ownership in the most significant gas transmission business by a single company group, and Australian Federal Treasurer has provided a time period of two weeks to make final decision covering formal process. The preliminary view was provided taking into consideration the assessment, guidance and analysis provided by Foreign Investment Review Board and the Critical Infrastructure Centre, which are key sources of advice to support Government decision-making, including on investment transactions.

APA is by far the largest gas transmission system owner in Australia, carrying 15000 km of pipelines contributing 56% Australia’s gas pipeline transmission system, including 74% of New South Wales and Victorian pipelines and 64% in the Northern Territory. APA supplies gas to gas fired electricity generation assets and liquefied natural gas exports.

Australian Government remains committed towards more and more foreign investments, which help in creating job opportunities and improving living standards. The extent to which such investments should be allowed should be consistent with the national interest. Concentration by a single dominant foreign player in the gas and electricity space over the long term raises concerns and various questions that need to be addressed. Foreign investments are always welcomed by any Government and so is the case with the Australian Government, which has welcomed CK Group’s investments in Australia and its broader contribution to the Australian economy.

APA slipped after the media release, and closed at the levels of $ 8.57.


Disclaimer

The advice given by Kalkine Pty Ltd and provided on this website is general information only and it does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. You should therefore consider whether the advice is appropriate to your investment objectives, financial situation and needs before acting upon it. You should seek advice from a financial adviser, stockbroker or other professional (including taxation and legal advice) as necessary before acting on any advice. Not all investments are appropriate for all people. Kalkinemedia.com and associated websites are published by Kalkine Pty Ltd ABN 34 154 808 312 (Australian Financial Services License Number 425376). website), employees and/or associates of Kalkine Pty Ltd do not hold positions in any of the stocks covered on the website. These stocks can change any time and readers of the reports should not consider these stocks as advice or recommendations.

Â


Disclaimer

The content on this website, including, but not limited to, any articles, news, quotes, information, data, text, reports, ratings, opinions, images, photos, graphics, graphs, charts, animations and video (“Content”) is a service provided by Kalkine Media New Zealand Limited (Kalkine Media, we or us) and is available for personal and non-commercial use only. The principal purpose of the Content is to educate and inform. The Content does not contain or imply any recommendation or opinion intended to influence your financial decisions and must not be relied upon by you as such. Some of the Content on this website may be sponsored/non-sponsored, as applicable, but is NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold the stocks of the company(s) or engage in any investment activity under discussion. Kalkine Media is neither licensed nor qualified to provide financial advice through this platform. Users should make their own enquiries about any investments and Kalkine Media strongly suggests users seek financial advice from a financial advice provider, stockbroker or other professional (including taxation and legal advice), as necessary. Kalkine Media hereby disclaims any and all liability to any user for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising from any use of the Content on this website, which is provided without any express or implied warranties of any kind. The views expressed in the Content by the guests, if any, are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Kalkine Media. Some of the images/music that may be used on this website are copyright to their respective owner(s). Kalkine Media does not claim ownership of any of the pictures displayed/music used on this website unless stated otherwise. The images/music that may be used on this website are taken from various sources on the internet, including paid subscriptions or are believed to be in public domain. We have used reasonable efforts to accredit a source wherever it is indicated or is found to be necessary or desirable.


Sponsored Articles


We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.